List of marine aquarium invertebrate species
Encyclopedia
This is a list of various species
of marine invertebrates
, animals without a backbone, that are commonly found in aquariums
kept by hobby aquarists. Some species are intentionally collected for their desirable aesthetic characteristics. Others are kept to serve a functional role such as consuming algae
in the aquarium. Some species are present only incidentally or are pest species.
Sea anemone
Corals
Zoanthids
Chelicerata
Crabs
Lobsters
Shrimp
Sea cucumbers
Urchins
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of marine invertebrates
Marine invertebrates
Marine invertebrates are animals that inhabit a marine environment and are invertebrates, lacking a vertebral column. In order to protect themselves, they may have evolved a shell or a hard exoskeleton, but this is not always the case....
, animals without a backbone, that are commonly found in aquariums
Aquarium
An aquarium is a vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which water-dwelling plants or animals are kept. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, marine mammals, turtles, and aquatic plants...
kept by hobby aquarists. Some species are intentionally collected for their desirable aesthetic characteristics. Others are kept to serve a functional role such as consuming algae
Algae
Algae are a large and diverse group of simple, typically autotrophic organisms, ranging from unicellular to multicellular forms, such as the giant kelps that grow to 65 meters in length. They are photosynthetic like plants, and "simple" because their tissues are not organized into the many...
in the aquarium. Some species are present only incidentally or are pest species.
Sponges
- Ball sponge, Cinachyra allocladia
- Orange ball sponge, Cinachyra kuekenthali
- Orange fan sponge, AxinellaAxinellaAxinella is a genus of sponges in the family Axinellidae. Species of Axinella occur in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Most of these sponges are smaller than 20 cm, and have a yellow or orange colour.- List of species :...
bookhouti - Lavender tube sponge, Callyspongia vaginalisCallyspongia vaginalisCallyspongia vaginalis, known as the branching vase sponge is a demosponge.This species is frequently colonized by Parazoanthus parasiticus, a colonial anenome, and Ophiothrix suensonii, a brittle star. It feeds on plankton and detritus. The color of C. vaginalis is variable, ranging from lavender...
- Red tree sponge, Haliclona compressaHaliclona compressaHaliclona compressa, known as the Red Tree Sponge is a demosponge. It can be deep red, yellow or orange. It is found in the Caribbean. it has been kept in home aquariums but avoided by other as reef safe.-External links:*...
Sea anemoneSea anemoneSea anemones are a group of water-dwelling, predatory animals of the order Actiniaria; they are named after the anemone, a terrestrial flower. Sea anemones are classified in the phylum Cnidaria, class Anthozoa, subclass Zoantharia. Anthozoa often have large polyps that allow for digestion of larger...
s
- Cerianthus, Pachycerianthus
- Bubble-tip anemone, Entacmaea quadricolorBubble-tip anemoneThe bubble-tip anemone , also known as the bubble tip anemone, bubble anemone or bulb anemone, is a species of sea anemone of Indo-Pacific origin. In the wild, this anemone is a natural host of several species of anemonefishes, including the Cinnamon , Tomato , Orange-fin The bubble-tip anemone...
- Pink tipped anemone, Condylactis giganteaCondylactis giganteaCondylactis gigantea is a tropical species of sea anemone that is found in coral reefs, shallow ocean waters, in shore areas in the Caribbean Sea – most specifically the West Indies – and the Western Atlantic Sea, ranging from southern Florida through the Florida Keys...
- Magnificent anemone, Heteractis magnificaHeteractis magnificaHeteractis magnifica, also known by the common names magnificent sea anemone or Ritteri anemone, is a species of sea anemone that lives in the Indo-Pacific area, and can grow up to 1 metre in diameter in the wild. It can be kept in aquaria but is considered one of the most challenging species...
- Merten's carpet sea anemone, Stichodactyla mertensiiStichodactyla mertensiiMerten's carpet sea anemone, Stichodactyla mertensii, is regarded as the largest sea anemone with a diameter of over 1 m, the next largest being Heteractis magnifica which has longer tentacles...
- Sebae anemoneSebae anemoneThe sebae anemone is a species of sea anemone from the northern Indian Ocean, including India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Some species of anemonefishes associate with it, including the Cinnamon , Oman , Orange skunk , Orange , and several more. In contrast, the Sebae clownfish The sebae anemone...
, Heteractis Crispa
CoralsCoralCorals are marine animals in class Anthozoa of phylum Cnidaria typically living in compact colonies of many identical individual "polyps". The group includes the important reef builders that inhabit tropical oceans and secrete calcium carbonate to form a hard skeleton.A coral "head" is a colony of...
- Bubble coral, Plerogyra sinuosa
- Elephant ears, RhodactisRhodactisRhodactis is genus of "mushroom corals", which are characterized by large individual polyps that are often reminiscent of a mushroom. Rhodactis are related to stony corals but do not produce a stony skeleton....
- Flowerpot coral, GonioporaGonioporaGoniopora is a genus of colonial coral found in lagoons and turbid water conditions. Goniopora have numerous polyps that extend outward from the base. Each polyp is tipped with 24 stinging tentacles which surrounds a mouth.-Care:...
- Mushroom coral , Order CorallimorphariaCorallimorphariaCorallimorpharia is an order of marine cnidarians closely related to the true sea anemones . They are mostly tropical, with a narrow column topped with a wide oral disc. The tentacles are usually short or very short, arranged in rows radiating from the mouth. Many species occur together in large...
including ActinodiscusActinodiscusActinodiscus, commonly known mushroom coral, sometimes incorrectly as mushroom anemone or disc anemone, are a genus of soft coral native to the Indian ocean, and commonly collected, worldwide, as an easy coral to grow in marine aquaria....
, Discosomatidae and Ricordeidae families - Open brain coralOpen brain coralThe open brain corals, Trachyphyllia geoffroyi, are just one of thousands of classifications of coral. They are named as such due to their resemblance to an inverted animal brain as seen by the human eye. As the name also suggests, the open brain corals are related to the many other species of...
, Trachyphyllia geoffroyi - Orange polyp coral, Tubastrea aurea
- Pulsing coral, XeniaXenia (genus)Xenia is a genus of photosynthetic soft marine coral resembling a mushroom, with "arms" coming out from the top that end in many-fingered "hands". It is unique among corals because of its ability to use its "hands" to "pulse" or push water away from the colony in a constant, grabbing motion...
- Raspberry coral, Pocillopora damicornis
- Red brain coral, Lobophyllia hemprichii
- Sun coral, TubastreaTubastreaTubastrea, also known as sun coral or sun polyps, is a genus of coral in the phylum Cnidaria. It is a cup coral in the family Dendrophylliidae.-Description:...
- Whisker coralWhisker coralDuncanopsammia axifuga, commonly known as whisker coral and Duncan's coral, is a large polyped stony coral which is partially photosynthetic but also partially depends on regular feedings....
, Duncanopsammia axifuga
ZoanthidsZoanthariaZoanthids are an order of cnidarians commonly found in coral reefs, the deep sea and many other marine environments around the world. These animals come in a variety of different colonizing formations and in numerous colors...
- Button polyp, Zoanthus sociatusZoanthus sociatusZoanthus sociatus is a zoanthid usually found in shallow reef zones of tropical regions from Japan to Central America and the Caribbean. Z. sociatus is currently being studied for its use against human lymphatic parasites.-Taxonomy:Zoanthus sociatus has nematocysts, which makes it a cnidarian...
- Acrozoanthus
- Palythoa
- Zoanthus
ChelicerataChelicerataThe subphylum Chelicerata constitutes one of the major subdivisions of the phylum Arthropoda, and includes horseshoe crabs, scorpions, spiders and mites...
s
- Horseshoe crabHorseshoe crabThe Atlantic horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, is a marine chelicerate arthropod. Despite its name, it is more closely related to spiders, ticks, and scorpions than to crabs. Horseshoe crabs are most commonly found in the Gulf of Mexico and along the northern Atlantic coast of North America...
, Limulus polyphemus - Sea SpiderSea spiderSea spiders, also called Pantopoda or pycnogonids, are marine arthropods of class Pycnogonida. They are cosmopolitan, found especially in the Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas, as well as the Arctic and Antarctic Oceans. There are over 1300 known species, ranging in size from to over in some deep...
, Pycnogonids
CrabsCrabTrue crabs are decapod crustaceans of the infraorder Brachyura, which typically have a very short projecting "tail" , or where the reduced abdomen is entirely hidden under the thorax...
- Anemone crab, Neopetrolisthes ohshimaiNeopetrolisthes ohshimaiNeopetrolisthes ohshimai is a species of porcelain crab from the north-western Pacific Ocean, which may be synonymous with Neopetrolisthes maculatus. It is a small, colourful crustacean with a porcelain-like shell. This porcelain crab is usually found within the stinging tentacles of a number of...
- Arrow crabArrow crabStenorhynchus seticornis, the yellowline arrow crab or simply arrow crab, is a species of marine crab.-Description:The body of S. seticornis is triangular, and the rostrum is drawn out into a long point with serrate edges. The legs are also long and thin, up to across, and the animal's carapace...
, Stenorhynchus seticornis - Blade-eyed hermit crab, Dardanus lagopodes
- Emerald crabEmerald CrabMithraculus sculptus, the green clinging crab or emerald crab is a species of crab used as pets in marine house aquariums. They are dark green colored, and can sometimes be aggressive. The species is found in tropical waters in the Caribbean Sea....
, Mithraculus sculptus - Fiddler crabFiddler crabA fiddler crab, sometimes known as a calling crab, may be any of approximately 100 species of semi-terrestrial marine crabs which make up the genus Uca. As members of the family Ocypodidae, fiddler crabs are most closely related to the ghost crabs of the genus Ocypode. This entire group is composed...
, Uca sp.UCAUCA can stand for:* Under color addition* Unicode collation algorithm* The University for the Creative Arts, England* The United States of Central America, existing in Latin America from 1823 to 1840* The Uniting Church in Australia... - Pom Pom crab, Lybia tessellata
- Sally lightfoot crabPercnon gibbesiPercnon gibbesi is a species of crab. It is one of at least two species commonly called "Sally Lightfoot" , and is also referred to as the nimble spray crab or urchin crab...
, Percnon gibbesiPercnon gibbesiPercnon gibbesi is a species of crab. It is one of at least two species commonly called "Sally Lightfoot" , and is also referred to as the nimble spray crab or urchin crab... - Shame faced crab, Calappa flammea
- Spider decorator crab, Camposcia retusa
- Tube anemone swimming crab, Lissocarcinus laevis
LobstersLobsterClawed lobsters comprise a family of large marine crustaceans. Highly prized as seafood, lobsters are economically important, and are often one of the most profitable commodities in coastal areas they populate.Though several groups of crustaceans are known as lobsters, the clawed lobsters are most...
- Debelius lobster, Enoplometopus debelius
- Feather star squat lobster, Allogalathea elegans
- Red lobster, Enoplometopus occidentalis
- Spiny lobster, Panulirus versicolorPanulirus versicolorPanulirus versicolor is a species of spiny lobster that lives in tropical reefs. Other names include painted rock lobster, blue lobster, and blue spiny lobster. P. versicolor is one of the three most common varieties of spiny lobster in Sri Lanka, alongside Panulirus homarus and Panulirus...
ShrimpShrimpShrimp are swimming, decapod crustaceans classified in the infraorder Caridea, found widely around the world in both fresh and salt water. Adult shrimp are filter feeding benthic animals living close to the bottom. They can live in schools and can swim rapidly backwards. Shrimp are an important...
- Brine shrimpBrine shrimpArtemia is a genus of aquatic crustaceans known as brine shrimp. Artemia, the only genus in the family Artemiidae, has changed little externally since the Triassic period...
aka 'Sea-Monkeys', Artemia salinaArtemia salinaArtemia salina is a species of brine shrimp – aquatic crustaceans that are more closely related to Triops and cladocerans than to true shrimp. It is a very old species that does not appear to have changed in .-Description:... - Broken-backed shrimp, Thor amboinensisThor amboinensisThor amboinensis is a species of shrimp found across the Indo-West Pacific and in parts of the Atlantic Ocean. It lives on corals, sea anemones and other animals in shallow reef communities....
- Coral banded shrimp, Stenopus hispidusStenopus hispidusStenopus hispidus is a shrimp-like decapod crustacean belonging to the infraorder Stenopodidea. Common names include banded coral shrimp and banded cleaner shrimp.-Distribution:...
- Camel shrimp, Rhynchocinetes durbanensis or Rhynchocinetes uritai
- Harlequin shrimp, Hymenocera elegans
- Marble shrimp, Saron marmoratus
- Peppermint shrimp, Lysmata wurdemanniLysmata wurdemanniLysmata wurdemanni, also known as the peppermint shrimp, is a species of shrimp.-Description:It reaches in length, and is named for the bright red stripes on its otherwise translucent body, which are reminiscent of peppermint candies such as a candy cane...
complex - Pistol shrimp, SynalpheusSynalpheusSynalpheus is a genus of snapping shrimp of the family Alpheidae, presently containing more than 100 species; new ones are being described on a regular basis, and the exact number even of described species is disputed: the genus Zuzalpheus was established for S. gambarelloides, S. brooksi, and...
- Scarlet cleaner shrimp, Lysmata debeliusLysmata debeliusLysmata debelius is a species of cleaner shrimp indigenous to the Indo-Pacific. It is popular in the aquarium trade, where it is known as the fire shrimp, blood shrimp or scarlet cleaner shrimp.-Taxonomy:...
or Lysmata amboinensis - Spotted cleaner shrimpSpotted cleaner shrimpThe spotted cleaner shrimp , is a kind of cleaner shrimp common to the Caribbean Sea. These shrimp live in sea anemones, including Bartholomea annulata, Condylactis gigantea, Lebrunia danae and Rhodactis sanctithomae. They sway their body and wave their antennae in order to attract fish from which...
, Periclimenes yucatanicus
Bivalves
- Atlantic Thorny oyster, Spondylus americanusSpondylus americanusSpondylus americanus, or the Atlantic thorny oyster, is a species of bivalve mollusc in the family Limidae. It can be found along the Atlantic coast of North America, ranging from North Carolina to Brazil....
- Bear paw clamBear paw clamThe bear paw clam, also known as the horse's hoof clam or strawberry clam, Hippopus hippopus, is a species of large saltwater clam, a tropical marine bivalve mollusk in the family Tridacnidae, the giant clam family.-Distribution:...
, Hippopus hippopus - Blue clam, Tridacna crocea
- China clamChina clamThe china clam, Hippopus porcellanus, is a species of bivalve in the Tridacnidae family. It is found in Indonesia, Palau, and the Philippines. It is a popular species for marine aquariums for its attractive shell.-Source:...
, Hippopus porcellanus - Flame scallopFlame scallopThe flame scallop or rough fileclam, Lima scabra, is a marine bivalve mollusc in the family Limidae.Although their name would suggest otherwise, flame scallops have no relation to scallops, besides their exterior....
, LimariaLimariaLimaria, the file shells or file clams, is a genus of marine bivalve molluscs in the family Limidae.-Description:The shells are thin, inequilateral, moderately inflated, gaping both anteriorly and posteriorly...
scabra - Fluted giant clam, Tridacna squamosaTridacna squamosaTridacna squamosa, colloquially known as the fluted giant clam, is one of a number of large clam species native to the shallow coral reefs of the South Pacific and Indian oceans. It is distinguished by the presence of large leaf-like fluted edges on its shell called 'scutes' and a byssal opening...
- Gigas aka "Giant" clam, Tridacna gigas
- Maxima clamMaxima clamThe maxima clam , also known as the small giant clam, is a species of bivalve found throughout the Indo-Pacific. They are much sought after in the aquarium trade, as their often striking coloration mimics that of the true giant clam, however the maximas maintain a manageable size, with the shells...
, Tridacna maxima - Smooth clamSmooth clamThe smooth clam, Callista chione, is a rather large, temperate, marine, bivalve mollusc that inhabits sandy bottoms or with small pebbles in clean waters down to about 200 m from the British Isles to the Mediterranean...
, Tridacna derasa
Gastropods
- Ass's Ear Abalone, Haliotis asinina
- Astraea snail, AstraeaAstraea (gastropod)Astraea is a genus of medium to large sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Turbinidae, the turban snails.-Species:Species within this genus include:*Astraea cookii *Astraea danieli Alf & Kreipl, 2006...
tecta - Bumble bee snail, Pusiostoma mendicariaBuccinidaeBuccinidae is a very large and diverse taxonomic family of large sea snails, often known as whelks or true whelks.True whelks are mostly marine gastropod mollusks in the clade Neogastropoda...
- Nassarius snail, NassariusNassariusNassarius, common name nassa mud snails or dog whelks , is a genus of minute to medium-sized sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Nassariidae. -Etymology:...
- Queen conch, Eustrombus gigas
- Sand conch, StrombidaeStrombidaeStrombidae, commonly known as the true conchs, is a taxonomic family of medium-sized to very large sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the superfamily Stromboidea....
- Tiger cowrie, Cypraea tigrisCypraea tigrisCypraea tigris, commonly known as the tiger cowry, is a species of cowry, a large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cypraeidae, the cowries.-Taxonomy:...
- Turban snails, Turbo
Sea cucumbersSea cucumberSea cucumbers are echinoderms from the class Holothuroidea.They are marine animals with a leathery skin and an elongated body containing a single, branched gonad. Sea cucumbers are found on the sea floor worldwide. There are a number of holothurian species and genera, many of which are targeted...
- Florida sea cucumber, HolothuriaHolothuriaHolothuria is a genus of marine animals of Holothuroidea, found in tropical and temperate regions coastal waters. They are soft bodied, armless invertebrates that dwell on the ocean floor, the form resembles a cucumber....
floridana - Pink and black sea cucumber, HolothuriaHolothuriaHolothuria is a genus of marine animals of Holothuroidea, found in tropical and temperate regions coastal waters. They are soft bodied, armless invertebrates that dwell on the ocean floor, the form resembles a cucumber....
edulis - Sea appleSea appleSea apple is a common name for the colorful and somewhat round sea cucumbers of the genera Paracucumaria and Pseudocolochirus, found primarily in Indo-Pacific waters. Sea apples are filter feeders with tentacles, ovate bodies, and tube-like feet. They can release their internal organs or a toxin...
, Pseudocolochirus axiologus - Tiger tail sea cucumber, HolothuriaHolothuriaHolothuria is a genus of marine animals of Holothuroidea, found in tropical and temperate regions coastal waters. They are soft bodied, armless invertebrates that dwell on the ocean floor, the form resembles a cucumber....
hilla - Yellow sea cucumber. Colochirus robustus
Starfish
- Brittle starBrittle starBrittle stars or ophiuroids are echinoderms in the class Ophiuroidea closely related to starfish. They crawl across the seafloor using their flexible arms for locomotion. The ophiuroids generally have five long slender, whip-like arms which may reach up to in length on the largest specimens...
, Ophiomastix - Bun star, Culcita novaeguineaCulcita novaeguineaCulcita novaeguineae is a species of starfish. They are sometimes kept as pets in marine aquariums. They are usually bright orange color but can range from gray to white. They can be found in tropical warm waters....
- Chocolate chip sea star, Protoreaster nodosusProtoreaster nodosusProtoreaster nodosus is a species of sea star found in the warm, shallow waters of the Indo-Pacific region. Also known as "horned" or "Chocolate Chip" sea stars, they possess rows of spines or "horns"; black conical points arranged in a single row, radially on the dorsal side, which may erode and...
- Feather star, Himerometra robustipinna
- Blue linckia, Linckia laevigataLinckia laevigataLinckia laevigata is a species of sea star in the shallow waters of tropical Indo-Pacific. The most common color morph found is pure, dark or light blue, although one can find the aqua, purple or orange variation throughout the ocean...
- Mottled Linckia , Linckia multiforaLinckia multiforaLinckia multifora is a variously colored starfish in the family Ophidiasteridae that is found in the Indian Ocean and Red Sea. Its common names include the Dalmation Linckia, mottled Linckia, spotted Linckia, multicolor sea star and multi-pore sea star.-Description:Linckia multifora has a small...
- Little red star, Fromia elegans
- Red-knobbed star, Protoreastera lincki
- Sand sifting sea star, Astropecten polycanthus
UrchinsUrchinUrchin or urcheon is the Middle English term for "hedgehog". As such, it is applied to many things that take a similar form to a hedgehog:* Street children, homeless children who live on the street...
- Globe urchin Mespilia globulus
- Long spine urchin, Diadema savignyi
- Pencil urchin, Eucidaris tribuloides
- Pincushion urchin, Pseudoboletia maculata
- Slate pencil urchinSlate pencil urchinSlate pencil urchin is a common name for at least three distinct urchin species.Benifets organisms in its area by moving across the bottom of its ecosystem eating bacteria that can build up and cause red tides...
, Heterocentrotus mammillatusHeterocentrotus mammillatusThis urchin, commonly known as the slate pencil urchin, red slate pencil urchin, or red pencil urchin, is found throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region, but is most abundant in Hawai‘i... - Priest hat urchin, Tripneustes gratilla
- Variegated urchin, Lytechinus variegatusLytechinus variegatusLytechinus variegatus, Lamarck, 1816 is a species of sea urchin that can be found in the warm waters of the western Atlantic Ocean. It has short spines and can reach a diameter of around 11 cm.-External links:* *...
See also
- List of freshwater aquarium plant species
- List of freshwater aquarium amphibian species
- List of brackish aquarium fish species
- List of marine aquarium fish species
- List of freshwater aquarium invertebrate species
- Marine aquariumMarine aquariumA marine aquarium is an aquarium that keeps marine plants and animals in a contained environment. Marine aquaria are further subdivided by hobbyists into fish only , fish only with live rock , and reef aquaria. Fish only tanks often showcase large or aggressive marine fish species and generally...
- Reef aquariumReef aquariumA reef aquarium or reef tank is an marine aquarium that prominently displays live corals and other marine invertebrates as well as fish that play a role in maintaining the coral reef environment...
Sources
- Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish (2005) (David AldertonDavid AldertonDavid Alderton is an English writer specialising in pets and natural history topics. Growing up in a home surrounded by pets, he originally trained to become a veterinary surgeon. An allergic dermatitis acquired in his final year of study forced a change of career however, and so led him into the...
) pages 286–297